Glossary

Glossary items by topic: Light & Color

Absorption

The process by which light transfers its energy to matter. For example,
a gas cloud can absorb starlight that passes through it. After the starlight passes through the
cloud, dark lines called absorption lines appear in the star’s continuous spectrum at wavelengths
corresponding to the light-absorbing elements.

Absorption Line

A dark line in a continuous spectrum caused by absorption
of light. Each chemical element emits and absorbs radiated energy at specific
wavelengths, making it possible to identify the elements present in the atmosphere
of a star or other celestial body by analyzing which absorption lines are present.

Blueshift

The shortening of a light wave from an object moving toward
an observer. For example, when a star is traveling toward Earth, its light appears
bluer.

Color

The visual perception of light that enables human eyes
to differentiate between wavelengths of the visible spectrum, with the longest
wavelengths appearing red and the shortest appearing blue or violet.

Cosmic Rays

High-energy atomic particles that travel through space
at speeds close to the speed of light; also known as cosmic-ray particles.

Doppler Effect

The change in the wavelength of sound or light waves caused
when the object emitting the waves moves toward or away from the observer; also
called Doppler Shift. In sound, the Doppler Effect causes a shift in sound frequency
or pitch (for example, the change in pitch noted as an ambulance passes). In
light, an object’s visible color is altered and its spectrum is shifted toward
the blue region of the spectrum for objects moving toward the observer and toward
the red for objects moving away.

Electromagnetic Radiation

A form of energy that propagates through space as vibrations
of electric and magnetic fields; also called radiation or light. All electromagnetic
radiation is a form of light.

A bright line in a spectrum caused by emission of light.
Each chemical element emits and absorbs radiated energy at specific wavelengths.
The collection of emission lines in a spectrum corresponds to the chemical elements
contained in a celestial object.

Far-Infrared Spectrum

The region of the infrared spectrum that exhibits the
longest wavelengths and the lowest frequencies and energies.

Frequency

Describes the number of wave crests passing by a fixed
point in a given time period (usually one second). Frequency is measured in
Hertz (Hz).

GRB990123

One of the most energetic gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) ever
detected, occurring at 4:47 a.m. EST, January 23, 1999. The “burst”
equaled the power of nearly 10 million billion suns. It became the first GRB
to be viewed simultaneously in both gamma-ray and optical wavelengths.

Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB)

A brief, intense, and powerful burst of gamma rays, the
highest-energy, shortest-wavelength radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum.
These bursts emanate from distant sources outside our galaxy and last only a
few seconds. They are the brightest and most energetic explosions known.

Gamma Rays

The part of the electromagnetic spectrum with the highest energy; also called gamma radiation. Gamma rays can cause serious damage when absorbed by living cells.

Gravitational Redshift

The reddening of light from a very massive object caused
by photons escaping and traveling away from the object’s strong gravitational
field. An example of gravitational redshift is light escaping from the surface
of a neutron star.

Infrared

Radiation that has longer wavelengths and lower frequencies
and energies than visible light.

Invisible Radiation

Radiation that the eye cannot detect, such as gamma rays,
radio waves, ultraviolet light, and X-rays.

Near-Infrared

The region of the infrared spectrum that is closest to
visible light. Near-infrared light has slightly longer wavelengths and slightly
lower frequencies and energies than visible light.

Radiation

The process by which electromagnetic energy moves through
space as vibrations in electric and magnetic fields. This term also refers to
radiant energy and other forms of electromagnetic radiation, such as gamma rays
and X-rays.

Radio Waves

The part of the electromagnetic spectrum with the lowest energy. Radio waves are the easiest way to communicate information through the atmosphere or outer space.

Redshift

The lengthening of a light wave from an object that is
moving away from an observer. For example, when a galaxy is traveling away from
Earth, its light shifts to the red end of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Spectral Line

In a spectrum, an emission (bright) or absorption (dark)
at a specific frequency or wavelength.

Spectrograph (Spectrometer)

An instrument that spreads electromagnetic radiation into
its component frequencies and wavelengths for detailed study. A spectrograph
is similar to a prism, which spreads white light into a continuous rainbow.

Spectroscopy

The study and interpretation of a celestial object’s
electromagnetic spectrum. A spectrograph or spectrometer is used to analyze
an object’s electromagnetic spectrum.

Electromagnetic radiation with shorter wavelengths and
higher energies and frequencies than visible light. UV light is lower in frequency
than X-rays.

Visible Light

The part of the electromagnetic spectrum that human eyes can detect; also known as the visible spectrum. The colors of the rainbow make up visible light. Blue light has more energy than red light.

Wave

A vibration in some media that transfers energy from one
place to another. Sound waves are vibrations passing in air. Light waves are
vibrations in electromagnetic fields.

Wavelength

The distance between two wave crests. Radio waves can
have lengths of several feet; the wavelengths of X-rays are roughly the size
of atoms.

X-Rays

The part of the electromagnetic spectrum with energy between ultraviolet light and gamma rays. X-rays are used in medicine to detect broken bones and cavities in teeth. Astronomers can detect X-rays from exploding stars and black holes.